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I have found out in Cambridge dictionary that, cultivate means making a lot of effort. But I cannot find any nice example for that. Could anyone please provide me an example?

Here is my attempt at using the word with this meaning: "I've been cultivating to increase my knowledge for several years." Is it wrong?

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  • The meaning is directly derived from the agricultural sense. If you "cultivate" something you tend to it, fertilize it, use a hoe to loosen the soil around it, etc. Farmer-like efforts. "Cultivate friendship" and "cultivate relationship" are probably the most common uses.
    – Hot Licks
    Commented Oct 10, 2018 at 11:17
  • "I've been cultivating to increase my knowledge for several years" is it wrong? @HotLicks
    – Holger Mate
    Commented Oct 10, 2018 at 11:19
  • Generally speaking, you would be cultivating something. Saying "cultivating to" leaves the listener wondering if you were literally using a hoe to increase your knowledge.
    – Hot Licks
    Commented Oct 10, 2018 at 11:25

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to cultivate OED

To try to win the friendship or favour of (a person), now esp. with implications of flattery.

To try to win the friendship or favour of (a person), now esp. with implications of flattery.

To adopt or affect (a mode of behaviour or appearance); to establish or project (a reputation or image).

To take up or develop (an activity, habit, interest, etc.), esp. for the purpose of self-improvement.

As to your question sentences, with modifications:

"I am spending much effort cultivating my dream of X."

and

"For several years, I've been cultivating X to increase my knowledge"

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"I've been cultivating my friendship with the managing director for several years"

which means the speaker has spent a significant amount of time/effort on building a friendship with the person in question. It implies a deliberate effort, rather than the friendship growing naturally, and so one could assume that the speaker has an ulterior motive, besides the normal reasons one would be friends with someone, such as a hoped-for promotion or some other business gain.

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  • Thank you for your reply. Is it possible to use this verb to saying I make a lot of effort to reach my dreams?
    – Holger Mate
    Commented Oct 10, 2018 at 10:59
  • I don't think so. "Cultivate" is ultimately a gardening metaphor - think of growing a tomato plant for example, where you have to make sure it's nice and warm, and keep aphids off it. It only works when applied to a noun, for this reason.
    – Max Williams
    Commented Oct 10, 2018 at 11:02
  • "I've been cultivating to increase my knowledge for several years" is it wrong?
    – Holger Mate
    Commented Oct 10, 2018 at 11:04
  • No, because as I said, you need to cultivate a specific thing.
    – Max Williams
    Commented Oct 10, 2018 at 12:16

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